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This website covers knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints, amongst other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.

He illustrates in three minutes a key element of why helping people focus is so important. The basic idea is familiar: when people are interrupted in their work, they struggle to get back into the swing of things. I usually talk about this in the context of multitasking and how long it takes to complete a job, compared to what it would take with focused effort. Pierre takes an orthogonal view on the same situation. He looks at results obtained over time. With a focused effort, results come and ramp up as work proceeds. But when there are frequent interruptions - unchecked, ungated, no way to say "no" - then those results can never hit the ramp. People are continually getting restarted.

Finding ways to focus - or letting people focus, if you are the manager is the key to bringing both results and speed to the organization. Pierre acknowledges a limit to the results that come in any given focus period. He recommends pausing to reenergize, an idea that inspires the Pomodoro Technique and similar approaches: Work - rest - Work.

I am deeply interested in both Knowledge Management and Theory of Constraints. I've worked with a wide variety of businesses and operations, and all this work reflects these two key interests. Even as a product manager, I was constantly looking for ways to see how the products I managed could help the customer be more effective with their time and energy.

Theory of Constraints and Knowledge Management are means to an end -- tools. First examine the needs for your business, then look for tools that will help you get there. What are your goals? What is getting in the way of those goals? Let's find ways to attack those things and move forward.

I am deeply interested in both Knowledge Management and Theory of Constraints. I've worked with a wide variety of businesses and operations, and all this work reflects these two key interests. Even as a product manager, I was constantly looking for ways to see how the products I managed could help the customer be more effective with their time and energy.

Theory of Constraints and Knowledge Management are means to an end -- tools. First examine the needs for your business, then look for tools that will help you get there. What are your goals? What is getting in the way of those goals? Let's find ways to attack those things and move forward.

This blog is about knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints and other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.